NASA Delays Starliner Astronauts' Return Until February 2025, Opts for SpaceX Crew-9

Aug 24, 2024, 05:23 PM

NASA has decided to delay the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station until February 2025. Initially scheduled to return on Boeing's Starliner, the astronauts will now be brought back to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the Crew-9 mission. This decision follows concerns about thruster issues and helium leaks in the Starliner capsule, which was originally intended for an 8-day mission but has now extended into a prolonged stay since June. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced the decision after a comprehensive review, highlighting safety concerns as the primary reason for the change in plans.